Frances Clay

October 31, 2013

Frances M. “Fran” Clay, 68, Iola, and formerly of Parsons, passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita. She had been in failing health.She was born Feb. 9, 1945, in New London, Conn., to Francis Wilfred and Hester Virginia (Herman) Gentile. She grew up and attended school in Connecticut. In 1973, she moved to Parsons and the South Mound area for several years. For a time, she returned to Parsons until moving to Iola in 2008 where she worked for USD 257 as administrative secretary in food service. For more than 22 years, she worked as a secretary in the Athletic Department at Labette Community College in Parsons. Fran was an avid animal lover, worked in animal shelters and taught dog training classes for many years. She also enjoyed gardening, canning and tending to her flowers. Through the years, she especially enjoyed volunteering at the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility.She and Larry S. Clay were married in February 1969. They later divorced.Survivors include one daughter, Jodi Grover and husband, David, Cheney; seven grandchildren, Elijah Grover, Isaiah Grover, Micah Grover, Scott Clay, Courtney Clay-Welch, Anna Davied and Michael Davied.She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Todd Clay, on Feb. 20, 1999.Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Memorials are suggested to the Labette Community College Foundation or the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

OBITUARIES

Elsmore native Vera Pauline Singer, 87, Garnett, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, at Residential Living Center in Garnett. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Garnett. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. Family will greet friends... [More]

Christopher Michael Gerardy, 50, Columbia, Mo., began his rest with our heavenly Father on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, with his family by his side, after a nine-day battle following a heart attack. He was born June 6, 1967, in Chanute, the son of Regina (Bailey) Seltmann and... [More]

“She was always there.” Edith Marie (Dryden) Murray was born Feb. 15, 1923, in Colony, to Karr and Flossie Dryden and was one of eight children. Edith left for Heaven Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. Edith entered the U.S. Navy WAVES in... [More]

The generous soul we knew as Norman Trichler has gone home to be with the Lord. Norman was born on Nov. 20, 1937, in Okhema, Okla. He married the love of his life, Eunice Jackson, of Yates Center. He died on Nov. 30, 2017, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He had two loving... [More]

Elaine L. Green, 74, Moran, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola. Her burial will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Kingman. Donations in her memory may be made at https://www.youcaring.com/kaywalker-1040171.

GAS — Councilman Larry Robertson questioned Tuesday evening whether Gas could continue to afford paying the cost of health insurance for its four employees. Spouses and children are not included. Robertson pointed out the 12-month bill for health insurance was $23,024.05,... [More]

After 20 years of service to the Allen Community College board of trustees, Harvey Rogers was honored by colleagues and friends at a farewell celebration at the college Tuesday evening. The 84-year-old trustee said Father Time had finally forced his hand, but that he’d... [More]

Iola Middle School’s first semester art show features numerous multi-media projects including drawings, paintings, ceramics, clay sculptures and pop art. The public is invited to stop by the IMS commons area from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday to vote for their three... [More]

It’s been more than 6½ years since Iolans disbanded the old three-man city commission and replaced it with an eight-member city council. An era will come to an end Jan. 8, when Mayor Joel Wicoff and City Council members Beverly Franklin, Don Becker and Sandy Zornes... [More]

USD 257 Superintendent of Schools Stacey Fager earmarked a few minutes at the end of Monday’s school board meeting to recognize retiring board member Tony Leavitt. Fager drew attention to the many accomplishments dotting Leavitt’s eight years of service to USD 257,... [More]

SPORTS

Iola found itself in undiscovered territory on Tuesday in a 62-54 loss to Burlington. Through the majority of the game, the Mustangs — who had basically cruised in their first three games of the season — trailed Burlington, something they had hardly done so far this... [More]

Things seemed to be on track for the Fillies after the first quarter of their 65-20 loss at Burlington on Tuesday. With senior point guard Colbi Riley back in the lineup after her injury, the Iola girls were finding open shots, defending decently and were down only seven points... [More]

Allen County’s Red Devils closed out the first half of their season with two losses at Independence on Saturday. The Allen County women fell 88-42. Independence doubled-up on Allen in the first quarter scoring 20 and holding the Lady Devils to 10. The Pirates added 16 more... [More]

The Iola boys basketball team will have to play Santa Fe Trail at least two more times before the season ends. But in the first match-up Saturday night, the Mustangs looked undaunted, winning the championship game of the Ike Cearfoss Preseason Tournament at Central Heights High... [More]